Replacing your Roof: Guide for Dummies

With the seasonal temperatures plummets and dumping of snow, not to mention the scorching heat of the summer time, the Toronto climate takes a toll on your house’s roof. Having a well maintained roof keeps your home warm and cozy, saving heating and cooling bills, while also preventing unwanted leaks. But when should you start considering replacing your roof? Here are five signs that you may need a new roof.

#1 Entire shingles or parts of the roof are missing or stripped away

The GTA has had its fair share of windy weather. If these powerful winds have managed to remove shingles from your roof, it’s time to contact your local roofing company. Missing parts of your roof leave it exposed to the elements as well as water damages. If you want to avoid future problems, get these areas covered up as soon as possible!

#2 The shingles are cracked 

The wind may not have managed to peel off your roof, but you’ve noticed that a few shingles have become cracked. Once again, this allows moisture to enter through your roof, risking further damage to your home’s interior. Even worse, small animals may see the opportunity to move in, bringing a whole new host of problems. But don’t worry, you can repair these problems by patching up the individual shingles, rather than replacing your whole roof. 

#3 The shingles are curling

Curled shingles are a sign of weathering; if your home is in the GTA, your roof has to deal with crazy changes in temperature on a yearly basis. Curling shingles mean that problems with leaking are imminent. It’s best to address this problem before it rears its ugly face. 

#4 Your finding the sand-like granules from your roof in the gutters

This is not a big issue if you recently had new asphalt tiles installed. But if you have an older roof and are still finding granules in your gutters, this is a sign that your roof may be approaching its half-life. The granules help protect the shingles from sun exposure, and without them, the shingles can deteriorate more faster. 

#5 The roof is older than 25 years

Everyone in your neighbourhood is suddenly replacing their roof this summer? It’s a good indicator that maybe you should too. Asphalt roofs are made to last between 20 to 30 years. Even if your roof seems to be okay, there may be underlying problems that haven’t come up to the surface yet. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to dealing with roofing problems.